Cerenkov radiation

views updated May 17 2018

Cerenkov radiation Light emitted when energetic particles travel through a transparent medium, such as water, at a speed higher than the velocity of light in that medium. This action is called the Cerenkov effect. It is analogous to a sonic boom and a cone of light is emitted trailing the path of the particle. It is named after Pavel Cerenkov who discovered it in 1934. Cerenkov radiation is used in a Cerenkov counter (detector of energetic particles).